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Studies are showing thatgreen teacan eliminate bad breath (halitosis). Thus far, green tea has been used for countless things: preventing cancer, stroke, heart disease, weight loss, and so on. Green tea has polyphenols, which are antioxidants that protect cells from damage. The tea extracts help rid the body of disease-causing organisms since the antioxidants raise the body’s immune system.

The malefic bacteria in our mouths can cause tooth decay and bad breath. Pace University recently did a study on how effective green tea is at getting rid of bad breath. In this research project, they mixed green tea with the bacteria that cause tooth decay and strep throat. Results showed that green tea inhibited the bacterial growth by 30% and decreased the amount of bad breath-producing compounds. Drinking green tea may also help one prevent getting sore throats and colds, since it helps fight the bacteria harboring in the throat.

This same study also proved that green tea helps toothpaste and mouthwash fight viruses by eliminating bacteria. Although, when researchers added green tea to the toothpaste, the bacteria were fairly inhibited, helping the toothpaste effectively fight off the oral viruses. The malefic bacteria that multiply in the mouth create bad breath-causing compounds. The tea inhibits these pathogens and helps destroy the foul-smelling compounds, thus putting a halt to bad breath. Green tea also helps remove plague buildup within your gums and teeth. Plague is another contributor to bad breath.

Tips to use green tea to combat bad breath:

1) Drink plenty of green tea.
2) Use it as a mouthwash. Rinse your mouth with it before and after brushing your teeth.
3) Mix it with your toothpaste before toothbrushing.

So for now, skip conventional breath mints– sugar only will make halitosis worse.